It's nice that MSW has started a subforum for progressive relapsing MS because it provides an opportunity to define the rarest form of MS.
In simplest terms, progressive relapsing is like primary progressive -- steadily progressive from the beginning without remission -- that also has relapses. There may or may not be some level of recovery from the relapses, but there is no remission from the initial onset and progression.
Progressive relapsing is not secondary progressive that still has relapses.
Secondary progressive is a later phase of relapsing-remitting MS, which has recovery and remission from attacks in the early stages. Because relapsing-remitting, by definition, has remissions, relapsing-remitting does not turn into progressive relapsing (no remissions) by way of secondary progressive.
Secondary progressive and progressive relapsing are not two late stages of relapsing remitting. Put another way, the progression that occurs after relapsing remitting is NOT called secondary progressive if relapses have stopped and progressive relapsing if relapses still occur.
They are different forms of MS whose paths do not cross. Secondary progressive is late relapsing-remitting MS. Progressive relapsing is more of an alternate presentation of primary progressive MS.
Primary relapsing = never has remissions even with relapses
Secondary progressive = has remissions in early phase as relapsing remitting even though remissions may stop later as RRMS turns progressive
In simplest terms, progressive relapsing is like primary progressive -- steadily progressive from the beginning without remission -- that also has relapses. There may or may not be some level of recovery from the relapses, but there is no remission from the initial onset and progression.
Progressive relapsing is not secondary progressive that still has relapses.
Secondary progressive is a later phase of relapsing-remitting MS, which has recovery and remission from attacks in the early stages. Because relapsing-remitting, by definition, has remissions, relapsing-remitting does not turn into progressive relapsing (no remissions) by way of secondary progressive.
Secondary progressive and progressive relapsing are not two late stages of relapsing remitting. Put another way, the progression that occurs after relapsing remitting is NOT called secondary progressive if relapses have stopped and progressive relapsing if relapses still occur.
They are different forms of MS whose paths do not cross. Secondary progressive is late relapsing-remitting MS. Progressive relapsing is more of an alternate presentation of primary progressive MS.
Primary relapsing = never has remissions even with relapses
Secondary progressive = has remissions in early phase as relapsing remitting even though remissions may stop later as RRMS turns progressive
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